In manufacturing, elderflower extracts are used in perfumes. Elderflower water is used in eye and skin lotions.

Possibly Effective for...

Constipation. Drinking a tea containing elderflower, senna flower, fennel fruit, and green anise fruit seems to improve symptoms and increase the chance of having a bowel movement in people who are constipated.

How does Elderflower work?

Are there safety concerns?

Elderflower is LIKELY SAFE when used in amounts found in foods. Elderflower is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people when used in small amounts as part of a combination product containing elderflower, sorrel, gentian root, verbena, and cowslip flower (SinuComp, Sinupret). There isn't enough information to know if elderflower is safe when used in medicinal amounts other than as part of the combination product. The combination product can cause digestive system upset and occasionally allergic skin rash.

Elderflower is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when used in excessive amounts. Some parts of the elderflower plant contain a cyanide-producing chemical which can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Cooking removes this chemical.

Not enough is known about the safety of applying elderflower directly to the skin.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There is not enough reliable information about the safety of taking elderflower if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Diabetes: There is a concern that elderflower might lower blood sugar levels. If taken with diabetes medications, it might make blood sugar levels go too low. If you have diabetes and use elderflower, be sure to monitor your blood sugar levels carefully. Check with your healthcare provider to see if the dose of diabetes medications you are taking needs to be lowered.

Surgery: Elderflower might lower blood sugar levels. There is some concern that it might interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery. Stop using elderflower at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

Dosing considerations for Elderflower.

For new (acute) or ongoing (chronic) sinus swelling (sinusitis): a specific combination product (SinuComp, Sinupret) containing 36 mg of elderflower plus 12 mg of gentian root, and 36 mg each of sorrel, verbena, and cowslip flower three times daily.

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate (detailed description of each of the ratings).

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